Faith, fervour and harmonymark first Bada Mangal in Lko
LUCKNOW, May 14 -- The state capital saw scenes of devotion as thousands of devotees celebrated the first Bada Mangal of the season with fervour rooted deep in tradition. The festival, unique to Lucknow, is not only an expression of faith in Lord Hanuman but also a symbol of Hindu-Muslim unity, where people from all communities participate and contribute.
Since 4am on Tuesday, devotees thronged the Old Hanuman temple in Aliganj, Hanuman Setu, Chhachi Kuan Temple, Hanuman temple in Rakabganj, Mauni Baba temple, Gulacheen Temple and the Dakshin Mukhi Hanuman Temple.
Every year, a remarkable feature of Tuesdays of Jyeshtha is the widespread organisation of bhandaras (community feasts). This year, over 1,500 bhandaras were set up across the city, serving food and refreshments to devotees and passersby. The Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC) ensured cleanliness at these sites by deploying special sanitation teams.
Additional municipal commissioner Pankaj Srivastava conducted inspections in Zone 4, including areas in Viram Khand-5, where several bhandaras were set up.
Nagar swasthya adhikari Dr PK Srivastava inspected the Dakshinmukhi Hanuman Temple in Hazratganj intersection and the nearby Janpath Market area. Later, at Parivartan Chowk, arrangements for public toilets and RC bins were made near another bhandara. Srivastava also visited Hanumant Dham Temple and reviewed the sanitation setup there.
Municipal commissioner Gaurav Kumar said the corporation's control room monitored cleanliness at all bhandaras citywide. Dedicated teams of officers and staff ensured round-the-clock area-wise supervision and response throughout the day.
Most of bhandara organisers used only biodegradable items and ensured proper disposal of plates, cups, and other waste into designated dustbins, said Kumar.
Bhandaras were hosted by private and government organisations. One of these was organised by the Debt Recovery Tribunal, Lucknow. Nitesh Tripathi, the organiser in charge, who has been overseeing the management for 10 years now, said: "All this is to feed everyone possible; no one should starve while we are serving God's 'prasad'."
BSNL offices hosted bhandaras in their locality. Vipul Mohan, assistant director of BSNL (Hazratganj) branch, said: "We have around 200 kg of wheat, 60 kg of rice, 60 kg of boondi and vegetables according to the poori-rice ratio. We do all this to strengthen the community bond and for God's blessings."
A bhandara was hosted by a motor company near the Purana Hanuman Mandir, Aliganj, with an aim to feed at least 5,000 people.
"The funding for it comes from the owners and the contributions of employees. We provide people with safe and clean food as well as parking space. We hire sanitation staff to clean the area within one kilometer," said firm official Ratnesh Pathak.
(Inputs from Anushka Porwal)...
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